2008
Eagle Windpower Ltd, an enterprise offering solutions in the search for renewable and emission-free energy, has been chosen as Business Incubator Company of the Year. Highly commended in the competition was Medeia Therapeutics Ltd, which aims at discovering and developing new therapeutic approaches for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, making use of an international co-operation network.
The announcement of the results of this year's competition was held at Otaniemi in Espoo on 27th November 2008. The competition highlights the most interesting growth companies in technology incubators. It is organised by the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL and TEKEL’s Business Development Team.
Eagle Windpower’s “windmills for the home”, which are 6-12 metres high, make efficient use of wind energy and are suitable even for the most challenging weather conditions. New production technology and innovative choices of materials enable quiet operation and lower costs: suitable for domestic household use, this system that produces about 10,000 kWh of electricity per year, costs the customer less than €10,000 installed.
“The company has efficiently combined different technologies and networked to obtain the expertise of many companies. Despite its young age, the company is showing signs of rapidly gaining market share. The market opportunities in the Cleantech area are promising”, says Olli Mankonen, Chairman of the panel of judges.
The panel also found that the company was making good use of the services of the technology incubator. Eagle Windpower Ltd was founded in March 2008 in the business incubator at Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd.
 |
The eagle has landed in India
“We can really say that the eagle has landed in India. We have received a very enthusiastic reception”, says Miamari Siitonen, Marketing and Sales Manager at Eagle Windpower, bringing greetings straight from Chennai, where the Wind India 2008 trade fair was held.
“Our order book was filled. The Indians are particularly interested in the nanotechnology wings and the unique hi-tech generator, which allows the unit to function even in low-wind conditions”, she continues.
Commendation for Medeia Therapeutics
The highly commended Medeia Therapeutics Ltd, which was established in 2006 in Kuopio, discovers and develops new therapeutic approaches, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, making use of an international network of partners. Based on its own pharmaceutical innovations, this research-intensive drug discovery company is making partnership agreements with international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
According to the panel, the company has succeeded in rapidly concluding the first agreements in this challenging field of business. It has also been successful in putting together a good, professional management team.
Medeia Therapeutics is looking to expand its product portfolio through a significant financing round led by Inveni Capital Ltd and completed in October 2008. Medeia has co-operated closely with Technopolis Ventures Kuopio Ltd, during the pre-incubator and incubator stages.
The Business Incubator Company of the Year competition honours companies that have grown up within technology incubators in Finland. Selection criteria are innovation, a competitive edge, opportunities for growth, market potential, business development during the incubator period and the company’s financial standing. The winner is selected from a group of technology incubator candidates by a panel consisting of members of TEKEL’s Business Development Team and supported by the views of a capital investor. The competition is organised by the Finnish Science Park Association TEKEL and TEKEL’s Business Development Team. This was the fifth time that the competition had been held.
Further information:
Olli Mankonen
Chairman of the panel of judges,
Director, Business Development, Turku Science Park Ltd
Tel. +358 (0)400 921 937, e-mail: firstname.familyname@turkusciencepark.com
Pia Pere-Vanhanen
Communications Manager, TEKEL
(Contact information)
Photos: Eagle Windpower Ltd.
